Bible Strands
Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD addresses the people of Jerusalem directly, calling them "Daughter of Zion" and "Daughter of Jerusalem," in the immediate aftermath of His declaration that no oppressor will overrun them again (v. 8).
The words — הִנֵּה (hi.Neh), "there!" or "behold," is a deictic marker that presents the king as arriving now, not as an abstract figure. The imperative גִּילִי (gi.Li), "rejoice," intensified by מְאֹד (me.'Od), "exceedingly," sets the demanded response before the subject is even named.
The thread — Matthew 21:4 explicitly cites this verse as the fulfillment of prophecy at the triumphal entry. Zephaniah 3:14 uses the same "Daughter of Zion" rejoicing formula in a different eschatological context.
Why it lands — The king is defined by what he lacks (a warhorse, a chariot) rather than what he possesses, forcing the reader to confront that the expected triumph is not military domination. The verse asks whether one can recognize a righteous, victorious king who arrives on a donkey's colt.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
Cross-references
- Matthew 21:4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
- Zephaniah 3:14 Sing for joy, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem!
- John 12:13 They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!”
- Zechariah 2:10 “Shout for joy and be glad, O Daughter of Zion, for I am coming to dwell among you,” declares the LORD.
- Jeremiah 23:5 Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land.
- Luke 19:37 And as He approached the descent from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of disciples began to praise God joyfully in a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen:
- Isaiah 43:11 I, yes I, am the LORD, and there is no Savior but Me.
- Mark 11:7 Then they led the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, and He sat on it.
- Isaiah 62:11 Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the ends of the earth, “Say to Daughter Zion: See, your Savior comes! Look, His reward is with Him, and His recompense goes before Him.”
- Matthew 11:29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.